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Experimental study of rivulet formation on an inclined plate by fluorescent imaging

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 September 1999

M. F. G. JOHNSON
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
R. A. SCHLUTER
Affiliation:
Department of Physics and Astronomy, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
M. J. MIKSIS
Affiliation:
Department of Engineering Science and Applied Mathematics, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
S. G. BANKOFF
Affiliation:
Department of Chemical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA

Abstract

The instability of a two-dimensional moving contact line is studied for a thin liquid film flowing down an inclined plane, leading to the formation of rivulets. A fluorescent imaging method was developed to facilitate accurate measurement of the spacing between rivulets, tip velocity, three-dimensional shape and dynamic contact line. A fluid circulation system produced steady films at constant volumetric flux, in contrast to time-varying films at constant total volume, as in previous measurements. Comparisons are made with the existing data for constant-volume films, and with theoretical predictions for the wavelength of the rivulets formed at constant inlet flow rate. Data were also obtained for rivulet shapes, tip speeds and contact angles as functions of the angle of inclination of the plate and liquid Reynolds number.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 1999 Cambridge University Press

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